In 1905, when the City of Vernon was incorporated it was surrounded by agricultural farmland and undeveloped fields. Today it is flanked by densely populated residences, schools, and industries. Vernon is taking steps to mitigate its environmental footprint while protecting jobs. The City is actively seeking a green sustainable presence for its residents and workforce of 55,000 as well as mitigating environmental impacts on neighboring Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) communities. 

An environmental sustainability action plan study was conducted in the Spring of 2023 to assess current initiatives and planned actions. The study identified policy or program gaps that Vernon has and is addressing to align with regional and State goals. 

What is Vernon Doing?

The following are adaption and resilience efforts to address climate change, air pollution, and nuisance odors:

Air Quality Improvement Efforts

• Restricting the development of big warehouses to reduce truck traffic and vehicle emissions.
• Financial incentives for businesses to convert medium and heavy-duty truck fleets to electric to reduce emissions and improve local air quality.
• Vernon has installed over 40 Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers in the City, further improving air quality.
• Working to attract cleaner, greener commerce that will reduce vehicle traffic and vehicle emissions, for example, data centers.
• Bringing in environmentally friendly tech companies like hydrogen production facilities, to support business transition to zero emission vehicles.
• Implementing green building codes that requires new and expanding buildings to install EV charging infrastructure funded with support from Vernon’s public utility rebates and incentives.
• Attracting green-cleantech businesses and jobs throughout Vernon and its West Side development plan of mixed-use residential units zoned to combine with retail, restaurants, and open space. 

Policy Changes to Mitigate Environmental Impacts

• Conducted odor study to develop a compliance program for nuisance odors to fill the gaps in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 415.
• Expanded permitting requirements for new businesses requiring the implementation of odor mitigation technologies to prevent future businesses from emitting nuisance odors.
• Vernon also supports AQMD’s best practices for rendering facilities expanding operations to convert waste into renewable energy, such as, renewable diesel.
• Partnering with the State and EPA for full and appropriate remediation of Exide contamination to ensure lead levels are safe and aligned with California public health standards, pursuing change in current remediation strategy that is not based on public health standards for lead and not accounting for recontamination.
• Advocating for remediation of parkways to mitigate recontamination.